Family Meetings

Topic Overview

Family meetings are regularly scheduled times when family members get
together to share feelings, discuss concerns, and solve problems. Since all
members participate, these meetings help build cooperation and responsibility.
Family meetings help members to work together and:

Make decisions that affect the family as a whole.
While some decisions can be made only by the parents, it is important for the
child to have a true voice in decisions. Making decisions as a family is a good
way to show children that the family is one body with a purpose and a certain
way of dealing with life's issues. It also helps children learn social skills
and attitudes that they can use as adults.

Help one member of the
family solve a personal problem. This helps children see that other people can
suggest options for solving problems that the person may not see by himself or
herself.

Solve family problems. Each member is encouraged to say
what he or she thinks and feels. Working within a family, children learn that
their opinions can make a difference. Allowing children and teens a voice may
help reduce their rebellion and anger toward their parents.

Plan
fun family times. Family meeting times offer a great opportunity to plan family
outings and other enjoyable activities. Each member has an equal opportunity to
express his or her suggestions for activities.

Schedule frequent family meetings at a consistent time to establish a
routine. One person leads the discussions, and another records the meeting and
reports back at the next meeting. Parents can assume these roles in the
beginning. But other members of the family can take on a role from time
to time so that no one person is always in charge.

Recommended Related to Mind, Body, Spirit

The following items usually are included on the agenda for a family
meeting:

Read the notes from the previous family
meeting.

Take time for family members to compliment others for
things they have done over the past week and to acknowledge members' strengths
or good qualities.

Discuss any business left over from previous
meetings.

Discuss financial matters, if the family has chosen to do
so. This may be the time when allowances are handed out.

Discuss
new issues, problems, or concerns. This can be a time for solving personal
problems as well as family issues. It usually is helpful for members to add
items for discussion on a posted agenda so that all members can see what will
be discussed before the meeting begins.

Make time for an activity.
Some families end the meeting and then have a fun time together, such as
playing a card game.